So I was given quite a blow today. After ACL/MCL knee surgery 20 years ago, I've had hip and knee pain for about 15 years with loss of motion and flexibility but i figured I was getting older and chalked up the aches and pains, took ibuprofen and kept going I have kept up my activity and workouts about 4 times a week. The pain has been really intense lately and I've had injections of Eufflexxa in my knee and asked my orthopedic doctor if i could see a physical therapist to see if i can get some of my flexibility back. Never mentioned my hips because I've always thought it was just my old knee and pain in my hips. After 10 intense myofascial therapy secession's, the therapist suggested I go back to my orthopedist for an x ray of my hips. My visit resulted in me walking out not knowing what direction to go.
I have spurs on both hips, osteoarthritis, and little to no cartilage. I do have a family history of osteoarthritis with double knee and ankle replacement with one of my parents, but they were much older than my current age.
My options given were cortisone injections by radiology to see if that may help with pain or hip replacement. I'm 48 years old, will I be able to workout again? Should I do both hips at the same time? or Should I try these injections first?
Dude I just had a Corin mini hip installed and I'm 46. I'm on 2.5 weeks since the surgery. I'm not in the least bit worried about getting back into the gym and I was doing deadlifts on a dead hip head. The day will come in about 8 months when i can go back to my full routine. You need to get a few more opinions if I were you just to confirm. I think some doctors are cut happy. Get a second opinion. Could just need a resurfacing. I had AVN set in after a fracture 12 years ago. Bad luck but I'll go on to live a nice full pain free life
As I understand it you have to have cartledge for them to inject into and as you have little or none, I think it may be a waste of time, and the post injection has a waiting time, they do not like doing surgery immediately after injection, something to do with healing time, and or chances of infection.
I also understand that hip surgery is easier and less painful than knee surgery, I have had that mentioned to me a couple of times, by nurses as well as Dr, as I have had both hips replaced 15 months apart, and am know told by GP my knees are shot as well, and he said to me, can be more painful, not really looking forward to knees, but like you have no choice if I want my life back closer to normal, I am 66.
The joys of having a family full of osteo, in my case brother, uncle, and me all having replacement joints, and I do know dad needed as well, but he just never made it that far, heart failed him.
I know you want to get back to intense exercise, but you do really need to consider your body!
If you are bone on bone, then exercise will do nothing except damage you more....been there done that. Ended up in quite a poor state before my op which was not ideal (nearly 4 weeks post op)
If you have a hip replacement then you are advised not to do high impact classes/squash/high level tennis, but there are other things you can do. If you persist with the intense exercise you will only set yourself up with significant problems in the future.
You will be able to get back mobility and activity and fitness, but in a different way.
Sorry if this feels a bit blunt, but I've been through this mental process myself and it took a while to realise either way life will not be the same because the damage is already there and you will have to look after your hip as its life is time limited. However, once you get through that barrier, you can then start to think about the positive things you can do..... swimming, cycling, weights, cross trainers/treadmills, walking....
from what I've seen on this forum - if you have steroid injections, you won't be able to have an op for 3-6 months depending on local guidance. I waited too long to go back and say I was ready for the op, and then had to wait 7 months on the waiting list by which time I was really scuppered in terms of mobility.....
Wishing you all the best on this journey whatever you decide what is right for you
I agree with Frances. Injections are a no go. My dad had one given to him at age 76. He went in for shoulder replacement and the joint was infected. He showed no signs of fever externally. The doctors were perplexed and they said the only cause was one of two injections. One was a gel...I about freaked out that my dad would report to that but when you are in pain I understand. I see both sides of this. I put off my replacement until it affected my job. Glad I did it. I now have 20 or so years of pain free exercise
As others have said if you have a steroid injection you will need to wait up to six months before having a hip op, they are worried about infection and healing. I was reading about some lady recently who is in her eighties and can still put her legs behind her years, she has had both hips replaced. I think she had been a dance choreographer in her youth, I don’t think I could ever put my legs behind my ears and that is from birth!
Gud-
From your self description and implied expectation for a continued active life I would highly recommend you start researching hip resurfacing as an alternative to hip replacement. I am 63, 6' 175# good bone structure- at my age i was on the cusp as a good candidate, at your age you would generally be considered an ideal age. The procedure is more complicated and technically difficult and there are really only a small handful of experienced successful surgeons that to the procedure- but they tend to have several thousand resurfacing surgeries each along with replacement surgeries for the other candidates. Orthopedic surgeons without the required specialized training will often disparage resurfacing- it did originally have a high failure rate. Among the recognized surgeons who do the procedure their results and peer reviewed publications tend to speak for themselves.
I am 10 days post surgery. I was given a spinal at 10 AM, did my PT and OT review successfully by 4:30 and was discharged at 6 PM. As of yesterday, I am doing my PT routine 3 times a day, and walking 1/4 mile with one crutch [just haven't acquired a can yet] 3 times a day. I am using Tylenol as needed along with a single Tramadol generally twice a day. My 2 week appointment is this Mon. 7/30 and I expect very good news from the surgeon.
Google hip resurfacing. Find a website called surface hippies or something like that, start checking it out. I think you'll find food for thought. Feel free to contact/PM me at any time. Best of luck.
Jim
Thanks definitely getting a second opinion. I'm just a little bummed and want to make sure i can get back to some activity.
Thanks for the information....I didn't realize that i may have a wait period after injections before surgery. I'll definitely be asking that question on my next visit.
So you did one hip at a time? I was thinking to get it over with do bi-lateral.
Thanks for all your input! I definatley need to hear from someone with experience.
I just left the doctors office with so many questions yesterday and a ton of confusion. I have continuous pain and i really don't think i want to wait another 5-10 years to do something. I'm ok with a treadmill and some cardio! and criss cross applesauce would be nice.....haven't done that i years!
Thanks for the information about that waiting period after injection before surgery. That will definitely need to be a consideration. I would just love to be able to criss cross applesauce again! That lady is her eighties is amazing with her hip replacements!
I would love some pain free exercise, and thanks for the information on injections.
Thanks Jim! i have seen some resurfacing information but nothing that gave good results. I will definitely check out the sites and do a google search. I know that my Ortho doesn't do resurfacing. So I'll need to see another doc.
Wishing you all the best on your continued recovery, sounds like you're knocking it out of the park!
Gud-
Whatever procedure you decide to go with, the single most important thing will be your choice of surgeon- this is absolutely critical. General rule of thumb is they should have absolutely no less than 250 successful surgeries under their belts- and should have many, many more if you can find that person. In other words this is not a surgery you want done by an orthopedist who does the occasional replacement. All statistics support the conclusion that both high volume practitioners as well as hospital facilities provide the best outcomes- it simply comes with the learning curve. No surgery comes without risks- this is a big surgery with big risks. Minimize those risks with the most experienced, skilled, successful, preferably published and peer reviewed surgeon you can locate under your coverage. Be prepared to travel if necessary and your coverage allows. Your surgeons experience and skill will be the most deciding factor in your outcome. Best wishes.
Jim